ASI Vice President nomination on agenda

Associated Students, Inc. president Gary Davis will recommend that the board of directors accept Jose Gustavo "Gus" Arroyo, a senior government major, as the new executive vice president at today's meeting.

Jennifer Helms, who originally won the election for the position, resigned after she decided to postpone graduate school.

ASI set up a panel to interview the five candidates that sought to take Helms' place, including Stephanie Parrish, the ASI director of business.

"Honestly, all five of the candidates were qualified for the position," Davis said.

But Stephanie Johnson, director of social sciences and interdisciplinary studies, and Jeremy Brickner, director of health and human services, were not too enthusiastic about the candidate who was chosen.

"I spoke with him for a couple of hours. I am just not sure if he is the best choice," Brickner said of Arroyo.

"The decision was made by only three board members. The other board members were not given a fair opportunity to participate in the selection," Johnson said.

Despite the grievances voiced by some members of the board, Vice President of University Affairs Kim Shaw asserts that all board members were given a chance to take part in the selection process.

"Davis invited board input and got none," said Shaw.

Several board members disagree.

According to Brickner and Johnson, board members were given short notice and were expected to attend a 4-hour interview in order to have a vote in who was selected. Several board members plan to contest the recommendation at this afternoon's meeting, despite Davis' feeling that most board members were in favor of his final selection.

"Gus will do a great job. I expect him to be accepted by the board," Davis said.

Davis also plans to formally codify ASI's objectives in writing,

"I will be submitting an official mission statement to the board of directors, along with a strategic plan for accomplishing the goals set in the mission statement," Davis said.

ASI currently has no mission statement.

Davis said the mission of ASI is to become more involved in campus life, and to take a more active approach to soliciting student involvement. In keeping with this goal, ASI has appointed Matt Silver, junior, major, as an ex-officio representative for residence hall affairs.

Davis said he sees the residence halls as the most fundamental aspect of campus life.

"These people represent what campus life really is. After all, they live here," Davis said. "We need to bring their needs to the board."

To get more students involved in student government, ASI has appointed two student assistants to help the board get the students' goals and plans accomplished.

Morgan Stewart and Shaun Lumachi, both junior government majors, will assist Davis.

"I may even take on two or three more assistants," Davis said. "I encourage the other board members to also take on assistants themselves."

The assistants are not paid for their work with ASI.

Today's ASI meeting is scheduled for 3 p.m. in the California Suite on the third floor of the University Union.